Howard might be available Sunday after rejoining Lakers

Center Dwight Howard returned to the Lakers on Saturday after receiving treatment on his ailing right shoulder in Los Angeles and will be a game-time decision to play Sunday against Detroit in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Howard underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy on his ailing right shoulder on Saturday morning in L.A. Lakers trainer Gary Vitti will evaluate Howard on Sunday before a decision is made on whether he will play against the Pistons.

While the Lakers list Howard as a game-time decision, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that Howard is expected to be available.

"I'm not counting (on it), but I hope," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We're ready to go if not, but if (he can play) that would help, obviously."

On Wednesday night against Phoenix, Howard reaggravated a torn labrum in the shoulder that forced him to miss three games in January. The Lakers lost all three of those games.

Without Howard on Friday night, the Lakers were able to beat Minnesota 110-100 in Minneapolis behind 22 points and 12 rebounds from Pau Gasol, who replaced Howard in the starting lineup.

"It's just a matter if there's pain, he won't play," D'Antoni said, according to ESPN. "If the pain has lessened a lot, then I think he'll play."